Local advocacy group Safe Streets Collingwood is calling on the town to reduce speed limits in community safety zones to 30 kilometres per hour, and to expand the reach of those zones.
Darlene Craig and Jeanette Beck, representatives from Safe Streets Collingwood, came before councillors at their Nov. 20 meeting to ask them to consider amending existing bylaws regarding community safety zones around Collingwood schools.
“We’re here to advocate for safer streets in Collingwood,” said Craig. “Sadly, our school community safety zones are not being taken seriously by drivers.”
In 2010, the town implemented municipal bylaw 2010-077, which saw community safety zones identified as 150 metres in either direction surrounding a school, and a 40-kilometre-per-hour speed limit in those areas.
The group is asking for the bylaw to be changed, to have community safety zones identified as 250 metres in either direction and a speed limit of 30 kilometres per hour in those areas.
“This is something that can be done now,” said Craig.
Community safety zones are in place surrounding Collingwood’s five elementary schools: Connaught Public School, Mountain View Elementary School, Cameron Street Public School, Admiral Elementary School and St. Mary’s Catholic School.
The group also highlighted council’s decision in June 2021 to install temporary speed cushions in school zones starting in September 2021.
“Permanent traffic calming measures need to be implemented,” said Craig, noting that the speed cushions are installed in June and removed in October.
“They’re only in place for three months of the year when kids are in school.”
“All our schools are on busy corridors. Traffic is going to get worse because of our growing population,” said Craig. “Now is the time to be proactive.”
During discussion, Coun. Steve Perry said he felt the request didn’t go far enough.
“I’d like to see high schools included in this,” he said, noting he had experience with a 30 kilometre-per-hour speed limit through his travels to Edmonton and Calgary.
In Edmonton, playground zones – which include all school zones – require a 30 kilometre per hour speed limit from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.
“From what I can tell driving, compliance is 100 per cent,” said Perry.
Perry put forward a notice of motion to have high schools included in any discussions on changing the bylaw, which will be considered at a future council meeting.
Following the deputation, director of public works, engineering and environment Peggy Slama told councillors that staff have been looking at community safety zones across town and have noted inconsistencies in how they have been implemented.
Slama said staff have been working on a report on the matter that is expected to come to council in December.
“In that report, we do comment on a lot of the things Safe Streets Collingwood have brought forward today,” said Slama.
